JAPAN
01 June 2014
Japan's cultural industry potential
Japan's cultural industries have great potential to drive a new era of economic growth in this country which has suffered too long from economic gloom.
Japan's cultural assets and industries have great potential to drive a new era of economic growth in this country which has suffered too long from economic gloom. But most regrettably, Japan is not exploiting this potential.
For over two decades now, Japan's economic performance has been mediocre. Labor productivity and GDP per capita are now about 30% below world leaders. Public debt is at world record levels. Deflation has been chronic. And many Japanese companies are being overtaken on world markets -- especially in the electronics field, with Apple and Samsung performing more strongly than Sony and Panasonic.
Japan's social outcomes are also poor. Poverty and inequality are rising. About 40% of employment is now "irregular", that is part-time, casual, short-term contracts, or temporary agency contracts.
While unemployment is not high, many Japanese are in the "working poor" category. Women still have much less opportunity than men, despite regular promises to give them equal treatment. And similarly, Japan's youth are at the bottom of the social hierarchy and many feel disenfranchised. The population is aging dramatically, work force is declining and now the population is declining.
Japan has always been a shallow democracy with one dominant ruling party. Following a brief few years of government by the Democratic Party of Japan, the traditional ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan is now back in office, and Japan is once again a virtual one party democracy.
The compliant mainstream media does not add very much to democracy. And civil society activist groups are instinctively distrusted, although that is now beginning to change following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Overall, Japan seems locked in traditions from the past, and appears to have difficulties adapting to modernity.
The old oligarchy of big business, bureaucrats and politicians have a stranglehold on the country, which seems to be on a path of never-ending decline. Their closed mindset is reflected in negative attitudes to foreign investment and immigration, both of which could bring the country a breath of fresh economic and political air.
At the same time, Japan's creative industries are highly inventive in areas like manga, anime, J-pop, film, fashion, architecture, video games, and cuisine.
And Japan's traditional culture -- shrines, temples, festivals, hot springs -- is greatly appreciated the world over.
But Japan seems to have great difficulty converting these cultural assets and attractions into economic value for its citizens.
Japan is not a major exporter of cultural products. Nor is it a major destination for international tourists. This is a tragedy because Japan's cultural assets have great potential to provide a new source of economic and social opportunity to the country.
What are the issues and problems? My class on "Japanese Business and Economy" at Tokyo's Sophia University discussed these issues.
The perspectives of this group of young international students were very insightful.
Many thought that Japan is not very effective in marketing cultural products internationally. This may be because the inputs of young people, especially young women, are not sought by Japan's corporate bureaucracies, which are dominated by conservative older males.
Marketing cultural products also requires cross-cultural understanding. But this is a great shortcoming in Japan with its insular attitudes and poor English language skills.
Another factor is that some Japanese cultural products are perceived to be "quirky" by foreigners. The Japanese idol girl group AKB40 and the many maid cafes, with waitresses dressed in maid costumes, acting as servants, and treating customers as masters, reflect offensively sexist attitudes in the eyes of many young Westerners.
Japanese historical insensitivity towards its Asian neighbors -- such as when leading politicians visit Yasukuni Shrine, or seek to deny World War 2 history -- have a very negative impact on "Brand Japan" and undermine its efforts to develop soft power. Today in China, some Japanese brands are now seeking to hide their Japanese identity.
There is much that Japan could and should do to exploit the full potential of its cultural assets and industries. One starting point for new initiatives would be mobilizing its youth, and the youth from other Asian countries, to seek their contributions.
Executive Director
Asian Century Institute
For over two decades now, Japan's economic performance has been mediocre. Labor productivity and GDP per capita are now about 30% below world leaders. Public debt is at world record levels. Deflation has been chronic. And many Japanese companies are being overtaken on world markets -- especially in the electronics field, with Apple and Samsung performing more strongly than Sony and Panasonic.
Japan's social outcomes are also poor. Poverty and inequality are rising. About 40% of employment is now "irregular", that is part-time, casual, short-term contracts, or temporary agency contracts.
While unemployment is not high, many Japanese are in the "working poor" category. Women still have much less opportunity than men, despite regular promises to give them equal treatment. And similarly, Japan's youth are at the bottom of the social hierarchy and many feel disenfranchised. The population is aging dramatically, work force is declining and now the population is declining.
Japan has always been a shallow democracy with one dominant ruling party. Following a brief few years of government by the Democratic Party of Japan, the traditional ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan is now back in office, and Japan is once again a virtual one party democracy.
The compliant mainstream media does not add very much to democracy. And civil society activist groups are instinctively distrusted, although that is now beginning to change following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Overall, Japan seems locked in traditions from the past, and appears to have difficulties adapting to modernity.
The old oligarchy of big business, bureaucrats and politicians have a stranglehold on the country, which seems to be on a path of never-ending decline. Their closed mindset is reflected in negative attitudes to foreign investment and immigration, both of which could bring the country a breath of fresh economic and political air.
At the same time, Japan's creative industries are highly inventive in areas like manga, anime, J-pop, film, fashion, architecture, video games, and cuisine.
And Japan's traditional culture -- shrines, temples, festivals, hot springs -- is greatly appreciated the world over.
But Japan seems to have great difficulty converting these cultural assets and attractions into economic value for its citizens.
Japan is not a major exporter of cultural products. Nor is it a major destination for international tourists. This is a tragedy because Japan's cultural assets have great potential to provide a new source of economic and social opportunity to the country.
What are the issues and problems? My class on "Japanese Business and Economy" at Tokyo's Sophia University discussed these issues.
The perspectives of this group of young international students were very insightful.
Many thought that Japan is not very effective in marketing cultural products internationally. This may be because the inputs of young people, especially young women, are not sought by Japan's corporate bureaucracies, which are dominated by conservative older males.
Marketing cultural products also requires cross-cultural understanding. But this is a great shortcoming in Japan with its insular attitudes and poor English language skills.
Another factor is that some Japanese cultural products are perceived to be "quirky" by foreigners. The Japanese idol girl group AKB40 and the many maid cafes, with waitresses dressed in maid costumes, acting as servants, and treating customers as masters, reflect offensively sexist attitudes in the eyes of many young Westerners.
Japanese historical insensitivity towards its Asian neighbors -- such as when leading politicians visit Yasukuni Shrine, or seek to deny World War 2 history -- have a very negative impact on "Brand Japan" and undermine its efforts to develop soft power. Today in China, some Japanese brands are now seeking to hide their Japanese identity.
There is much that Japan could and should do to exploit the full potential of its cultural assets and industries. One starting point for new initiatives would be mobilizing its youth, and the youth from other Asian countries, to seek their contributions.
Author
John WestExecutive Director
Asian Century Institute